Rise and Dine: Our Favorite Hotel Breakfasts from Around the World in 2022
Rise and Dine: Our Favorite Hotel Breakfasts from Around the World in 2023 - Fluffy Pancakes & Maple Syrup - Canada
No hotel breakfast gets more quintessentially Canadian than a tall stack of fluffy pancakes drenched in maple syrup. This sweet and comforting meal perfectly fuels travelers for a day of exploring the Great White North.
Luxury hotels like the Fairmont Banff Springs in Alberta's Rocky Mountains serve up the ultimate pampered pancake experience. Guests delight in the golden flapjacks hot off the griddle, topped with whipped butter and the resort's own homemade maple syrup crafted from sap gathered on-site. Alternating bites of tender pancake with crispy bacon or smoky Canadian ham make for a hearty and indulgent start to the day before hitting the slopes.
For a cozier, homestyle take on pancakes, look no further than boutique establishments like the Sonora Resort tucked away in British Columbia's Discovery Islands. Their signature buttermilk pancakes with maple syrup deliver down-home flavor reminiscent of childhood weekend breakfasts. Between the welcoming aroma of batter on the grill and the first bite of a fluffy, warm pancake, guests feel like they are stopping by a friend's kitchen rather than dining at a hotel.
Beyond hotels, no visit to Canada is complete without popping into a local diner, cafe or "sugar shack" for a short stack of pancakes swimming in maple syrup. These beloved community eateries often use recipes passed down through generations and source their syrup from neighboring maple farms. Digging into pancakes at a place like Auntie Crae's Cafe in Toronto or Chez Ashton in Quebec provides a delicious taste of Canadiana.
What else is in this post?
- Rise and Dine: Our Favorite Hotel Breakfasts from Around the World in 2023 - Fluffy Pancakes & Maple Syrup - Canada
- Rise and Dine: Our Favorite Hotel Breakfasts from Around the World in 2023 - Full English Fry Up - United Kingdom
- Rise and Dine: Our Favorite Hotel Breakfasts from Around the World in 2023 - Churros con Chocolate - Spain
- Rise and Dine: Our Favorite Hotel Breakfasts from Around the World in 2022 - Dim Sum in Hong Kong
- Rise and Dine: Our Favorite Hotel Breakfasts from Around the World in 2023 - Japanese Rice, Fish & Miso Soup
- Rise and Dine: Our Favorite Hotel Breakfasts from Around the World in 2022 - Tropical Fruit & Yogurt Bowls - Hawaii
- Rise and Dine: Our Favorite Hotel Breakfasts from Around the World in 2023 - Brazilian Juice Bar & Cheese Bread
- Rise and Dine: Our Favorite Hotel Breakfasts from Around the World in 2023 - Middle Eastern Mezze Spreads & Flatbreads
Rise and Dine: Our Favorite Hotel Breakfasts from Around the World in 2023 - Full English Fry Up - United Kingdom
A full English breakfast is a cherished tradition for travelers in the UK, providing hearty fuel to start the day exploring windswept moors or bustling city streets. This classic meal showcases the best of British fare: eggs, sausage, bacon, mushrooms, tomatoes, baked beans, and toast. While interpretations vary across the regions, a proper "fry up" always promises a stick-to-your-ribs experience.
Indulge in a full English at London's CORINTHIA Hotel and you'll savor luxurious twists on the classics, like air-dried Iberico bacon and lobster Benedict. Meats from artisan British producers lend depth of flavor, while tomatoes burst with freshness. At their flagship Brasserie & Bakery, sunlight streams in through soaring windows as you dine amidst impeccable service. An extensive tea selection provides the perfect complement.
For a cozy take, The Pig near Bath transforms fresh ingredients from their garden into a mouthwatering full English. The eggs come from their own chickens while the honey is sourced from their hives. The Freedom Farm supplies local, ethical meats. Relax by a crackling fire in the rustic dining room and soak up the countryside charm. This meal encapsulates the farm-to-table ethos that earned The Pig acclaim.
Travel north to York and dine in The Grand Hotel & Spa's restaurant, where views of the countryside unfurl outside floor-to-ceiling windows. Here the full English gets a kick from locally-made blacklist pudding and Yorkshire Relish. With friendly staff and refined touches, it makes an indulgent escape.
Beyond hotels, atmospheric cafes like The Wolseley in London present the full English in all its glory. The black pudding supplied by Ramsay of Carluke and dry-cured bacon from Karro Food Group come on silver platters. With comforting cups of tea and a bustling dining room, it's a quintessential London experience.
Rise and Dine: Our Favorite Hotel Breakfasts from Around the World in 2023 - Churros con Chocolate - Spain
Indulge in the quintessential Spanish breakfast of churros con chocolate at hotels across Spain for a taste of pure decadence. These piping hot, sugary churros dipped in thick, rich chocolate deliver sweet satisfaction to start off your day exploring Spain.
At hotels like the Santo Mauro in Madrid, the churros arrive as an art form, coiled into intricate knots and spirals dusted with cinnamon. The chocolate is sublimely thick, blending high-quality cocoa and milk into a luscious dipping sauce. Diners delight in dunking the crispy churros into the chocolate, marveling as the interior fluff soaks up the chocolate's velvety goodness. Tables on the garden terrace allow you to savor this beloved breakfast in the fresh morning air. It's the ultimate pampered beginning to a day touring Madrid's royal sights.
For a beachside take, Hotel Arts Barcelona's churros con chocolate on the deck overlooking the Mediterranean make a blissful escape. Here, the churros are classically long and ridged, dusted with just the right amount of sugar. The chocolate comes in dark and milk varieties, offering a choice of intensities. Seagulls circle overhead as you dig into the hot churros, letting the chocolate's smooth creaminess contrast with their crunch. It's a little taste of Spanish paradise.
Beyond hotels, no visit to Spain is complete without experiencing churros con chocolate at a local churrería. These beloved cafes use time-honored techniques of deep frying the dough in olive oil before rolling the churros in sugar. In Madrid, visit Chocolatería San Ginés in operation since 1894, where three generations of owners have perfected the art. Or try the waffle-shaped churros at Xurreria Manuel San Román, dunking them into chocolate so thick it coats your lips. There's no better way to connect to generations past than sharing this classic breakfast.
Travelers visiting Barcelona make a beeline for Granja Dulcinea, a historic churrería known for its handmade churros and thick hot chocolate. Here crowds line up for the churros served straight from the fryer, so hot that the sugar caramelizes where you bite in. The chocolate delivers pure cocoa intensity. For an elegant sit-down experience, Churrería Novell in Barcelona serves crispy churros alongside cupfuls of chocolate, bringing locals and tourists alike together.
Rise and Dine: Our Favorite Hotel Breakfasts from Around the World in 2022 - Dim Sum in Hong Kong
A quintessential Hong Kong breakfast, Dim Sum offers a delightful diversity of small bites perfect for sharing. From har gow shrimp dumplings to cha siu bao barbecue pork buns, each steaming basket holds a unique treat. Partaking in yum cha, or drinking tea, while sampling an array of dim sum represents a beloved local tradition. For visitors, it also provides a delicious foray into Cantonese cuisine. Whether at a hotel or local teahouse, dim sum in Hong Kong proves utterly unmissable.
The Peninsula Hong Kong, a historic grande dame renowned for impeccable service, presents an upscale dim sum experience in the lobby. Beneath soaring columns and chandeliers, white-gloved waiters present bamboo steamers of delicacies like pan-fried turnip cakes and shrimp dumplings. The har gow wrappers prove perfectly translucent, encasing plump shrimp. Biting into the xiao long bao soup dumplings releases a hot broth, while the tender char siu bao fill you with savory barbecue pork. Between sips of oolong tea, you can sample steamed rice rolls and a parade of plates across several hours, soaking up the refined ambience.
For a more local teahouse vibe, check out Tim Ho Wan in Mong Kok, the Michelin-starred restaurant famed for excellent dim sum at bargain prices. Prepare to queue and then cram in elbow-to-elbow at communal tables. Servers swiftly deliver bamboo steamers loaded with favorites like the barbecue pork buns, the yeasty exterior giving way to a sweet and sticky filling. The rice noodles wrapped with shrimp live up to their name of cheung fun, meaning “long fun” or happiness in Cantonese. Each dumpling and bun begs to be devoured immediately while piping hot.
Rise and Dine: Our Favorite Hotel Breakfasts from Around the World in 2023 - Japanese Rice, Fish & Miso Soup
A traditional Japanese breakfast provides the perfect wholesome fuel to start your day of exploring. The meal typically centers on a bowl of steaming white rice, grilled fish, and miso soup. This classic combination offers protein, carbs, and vegetables in a satiating and nutritious mix that's been perfected over centuries. For visitors, partaking in the rice, fish and soup also offers cultural insight into the local lifestyle.
Luxury hotels like the Park Hyatt Tokyo present the traditional breakfast with impeccable touches. Here, the rice is plump and perfectly sticky, complemented by sides like tamagoyaki rolled omelet, crunchy pickles, and dried seaweed. The miso soup comes topped with sliced green onions and nourishing tofu cubes. The fish changes daily, always from Tokyo's famed Tsukiji Market. Unagi (eel), butterfish, and salmon all make appearances, masterfully grilled to balance crispy skin with moist flesh. Servers explain cultural touches, like spinning the small bowl when receiving rice. The contemporary yet soothing dining room with views of nearby temples lets you soak up this iconic start.
For a more hands-on take, Hotel Ryumeikan Tokyo offers the chance to don an apron and learn to make your own breakfast in their show kitchen. You'll scoop sticky rice into a bowl yourself and try your hand at rolling tamagoyaki egg. Their seasoned chef then demonstrates fileting the fish and cooking items on the grill. The miso soup comes topped with wakame seaweed and greens from their rooftop garden. Between preparing components yourself and sitting counter-side, you gain valuable insights into traditional cooking techniques. This edible cultural lesson kickstarts your exploration of Tokyo.
Beyond hotels, locals often frequent specialized venues for their preferred breakfast. Specialty rice shops like Musashino serve up steaming bowls with a choice of toppings. At traditional restaurants called ryotei, the rice is cooked over charcoal for depth of flavor. Soup shops focus on perfecting dashi broth and homemade tofu. Tsukiji Market stalls grill up the catch of the day. Tapping into these everyday eateries connects you to local culinary rituals.
Rise and Dine: Our Favorite Hotel Breakfasts from Around the World in 2022 - Tropical Fruit & Yogurt Bowls - Hawaii
A sunrise breakfast of tropical fruit and yogurt captures the spirit of Hawaii's "aloha" lifestyle. The archipelago's rich volcanic soil and year-round growing season produce delectable local fruits. Paired with creamy yogurt, it's a rejuvenating start to your day of island adventures.
At the Four Seasons Hualalai on the Big Island, guests awaken to artful bowls brimming with the ripest papaya, mango, pineapple and melon. These juicy slices and chunksstar alongside organic yogurt from Hawai'i Island dairy farmers. Granola with macadamia nuts and a drizzle of honey add crunch. Dining al fresco amidst palm trees swaying in the breeze complete the island vibe. The colorful, vitamin-packed bowls provide natural energy to discover lava fields, snorkel with sea turtles or tee off on scenic golf courses.
For a more hands-on experience, the Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club in Waikiki hosts a weekly farmers market. Local vendors like Sky Farms supply just-picked tropical fruits to create build-your-own yogurt bowls. Their Minimum Wake yogurt comes from grass-fed cows producing a rich, creamy base. Then load up your bowl with the likes of guava, lychee, rambutan, starfruit and jackfruit. Toppings like dried hibiscus and coconut add exotic flair. Savoring this Hawaiian superfood meal on the rooftop against the backdrop of Diamond Head recharges you to stroll the Waikiki strip.
Venturing to Maui, Hotel Wailea's breakfast bar impresses with an array of locally-grown exotic offerings. Alongside the yogurt you'll find cherimoya custard apple, annona and the vitamin C-packed lilikoi passionfruit. This sea of colors, flavors and nutrients nourishes you for snorkeling among sea turtles or embarking on the scenic Road to Hana. Watching the sunrise over the Pacific as you dig into tropical yogurt bowls makes for an unforgettable start.
Rise and Dine: Our Favorite Hotel Breakfasts from Around the World in 2023 - Brazilian Juice Bar & Cheese Bread
A Brazilian juice bar and cheese bread breakfast offers a refreshing and wholesome start to the day, fueling you with natural energy to discover this captivating South American country. Brazil's abundance of tropical fruits like acai, acerola cherry, mango and passionfruit get blended into nutrient-dense smoothies and juices. Paired with bites of freshly baked cheese bread, it's a morning ritual beloved by locals and visitors alike.
Sinking your teeth into warm, doughy pão de queijo simultaneously salty and mild immediately evokes Brazil's welcoming hospitality. These bite-sized cheese buns originated in the state of Minas Gerais but have become an everyday staple across Brazil. Made from tapioca flour, eggs, and cheese, they deliver a satisfying chewiness contrasted by a crunchy exterior. Whether heading out on a jungle hike through the Amazon or wandering the colorful streets of Rio de Janeiro, cheese bread provides easy hand-held nourishment.
For thirst-quenching refreshment, Brazilians turn to sucos. These natural fruit juices harness the country's bounty of tropical produce into drinks balancing sweet and tart flavors. Acerola cherry packs a burst of vitamin C, while açaí smoothies brim with antioxidants. Avocado juice proves rich and earthy, while the acidity of passionfruit and pineapple juices awakens the palate. Papaya and mango offer additional pleasure. Customizing your own suco by selecting fruits and milks at a juice bar connects you to local gastronomy.
The Emiliano hotel in Rio de Janeiro mirrors the vibrant energy of the Marvelous City through its sprawling breakfast juice bar. It sources organic and indigenous fruits from farmers across Brazil's diverse biomes to craft refreshing blends. Their recife green smoothie combines cactus, mango and mint for hydration and nutrients. Grab and go cups allow sipping on the way to sunrise yoga on Copacabana Beach or hitting the shops on Rua Garcia D'Ávila. The cheese bread delivers melted cheese in a tender crumb.
For an immersive experience, visit local favorites like Ta Bom in Leblon, where huge blenders whir to produce sucos made to order. Snag a hammock on the patio and bliss out people watching on lively streets while spooning açai smoothies. Pair the tangy, antioxidant-rich drink with warm pão de queijo served in net bags. This beloved neighborhood spot embodies the Carioca lifestyle.
Rise and Dine: Our Favorite Hotel Breakfasts from Around the World in 2023 - Middle Eastern Mezze Spreads & Flatbreads
A Middle Eastern breakfast spread of mezze and flatbreads offers a mosaic of flavors and textures to savor. This array of small plates allows you to sample a diversity of regional dishes and ingredients. From labneh's cool creaminess to the nutty pop of za'atar, it's a journey across the senses. Paired with pillowy flatbreads still steaming from the oven, mezze make for a languorous, convivial repast that connects you to centuries of tradition.
Luxury hotels from Marrakech to Dubai are embracing lavish Middle Eastern breakfast spreads as a way to transport guests. Mandarin Oriental Jumeira in Dubai curates a daily selection celebrating Emirati cuisine and culture. Fig and date jam, creamy feta and olives await spreading atop oven-fresh Arabic bread. Hearty foul mudammas dip and velvety hummus pair with pickles and za'atar wedges. The silver trays brim with the region's famed hospitality.
Venturing to Jordan, the Amman Rotana lets you feast Bedouin-style in their tend-like Arabic restaurant. Gather around low tables and dip steaming Arabic bread into earthy baba ghanoush, nutty muhammara and lemony tabbouleh. Spinach pies called fatayer offer parsley-flecked pastry crescents. Cardamom coffee and infusions like sage tea encourage you to linger over this transporting experience before heading out to Petra's ancient ruins.
Beyond hotels, frequented local spots like Abdul Halim in Jordan's Madaba bring together residents to break bread and bond over mezze. Their hot falafel balls and toum garlic sauce pair perfectly with just-baked khubz rounded loaves. Trying favorites like fattoush salad and mutabal eggplant spread offers culinary communion.
In Marrakech, a garden riad like Dar Zaman provides a tranquil oasis right off the medina's bustling souks. Gather beneath fruit trees rustling in the breeze and graze on mezze befitting royalty. Cumin-spiced kefta meatballs, creamy chicken pastilla pie and vegetarian delights like zaalouk aubergine salad await pairing with semolina-crusted rghifa flatbread. The leisurely pace transports you from the city's frenzy to a serene mindset, readying you to delve into Marrakech's magical maze.